‘Bye Bye Birdie’: TCT stages musical comedy

Tupelo Community Theatre presents “Bye Bye Birdie” next weekend at The Lyric. The musical comedy focuses on a 1950s rock star, Birdie (Clint Reid), who’s just been drafted into the Army. With his star about to be shipped overseas, Conrad’s agent, Albert Peterson (Jeff Houin), is nervous about the future. His secretary and girlfriend, Rose (Mary Frances Massey), plots a publicity stunt for Conrad: He’ll give a kiss to an adoring fan before heading overseas.

“And hilarity ensues,” said director Suzanne Oakley.

It’s easy to create a believable Birdie in the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.

“We are using some traditional Elvis costuming and hairstyles,” Oakley said. “Clint Reid does a good Elvis impersonation, and he has a velvety voice.”

But Reid isn’t the only one having fun.

“Bye Bye Birdie” is Houin’s second time on the TCT stage. He also starred in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” but he’s got a bigger role in “Birdie.”

“(Albert) is a big mama’s boy. He has no spine,” he said.

He shares the stage with Allison Nichols, 15, who stars as Kim MacAfee, the girl chosen to get a smooch from Birdie.

“Kim is a typical 1950s teenager: She’s boy crazy and she’s a lot of fun to play,” Nichols said. “It’s a lot of fun to faint at least five times during the show.”

Both actors are having fun bringing 1950s rock ‘n’ roll and fandom to the stage.

“It’s a great show,” Nichols said. “The cast and crew are working really hard, and the show’s fantastic.”

The story and music are fan favorites, Houin said, and that makes it fun to see.

“It’s an oldie but a goodie,” he said. “It’s a good musical for springtime.”